Colombia: The logics of irregular war and civil resistance

Abstract

Analyzing the Colombian case, and by means of a brief recap, this article tries to elucidate the characteristics of irregular war and why it has lasted over five decades. Then, it examines some of the most representative works of Colombian social researchers, as well as their theoretical references and the kind of interpretation they have been building. Emphasis is placed on the singularity of an irregular war, of low intensity but long duration, and its effects on common people in the areas where the guerrillas have attained a certain degree of implementation, which forces the army to develop counter-insurgency work. The article ends with the analysis of different kinds of civil resistance to war, the way and order in which these have manifested themselves, and some exercises on predicting their likely future developments.